The research developed by Hemera was featured in the TG4 Medicina, an in-depth health and innovation program within the national news broadcast of Rete 4 dedicated to medical and scientific topics.
The interview featured Ilaria Decimo, Co-Founder and Director of Research & Development at Hemera, who presented the scientific journey behind the company’s regenerative medicine platform developed for the treatment of spinal cord injuries.
A Scientific Question Originating More Than Ten Years Ago
The research began with an observation made in the context of immunology studies. As Ilaria Decimo explained during the interview
“This discovery stems from more than ten years of research. We were inspired by cancer and by the behavior of certain immune cells, and we asked ourselves whether their capabilities could be applied in a completely different context, such as spinal cord injury.”
The focus of the work is on macrophages, immune cells capable of influencing the tissue microenvironment. Preclinical studies have shown that, when properly reprogrammed, these cells can support regenerative processes and functional recovery in experimental models.
REMaST®: A Cell Therapy Platform
Building on this research, Hemera developed REMaST®, a proprietary regenerative cell therapy platform designed for spinal cord injury.
REMaST® is engineered to activate multiple regenerative processes in parallel, including neural tissue regeneration, neuronal growth, vascular formation, and remodeling of the lesion microenvironment, with the aim of supporting functional recovery.
At the core of the platform is its multi-mechanism approach, enabling coordinated activation of distinct biological pathways involved in tissue repair — a defining feature that distinguishes REMaST® within the field of regenerative medicine.
Next Steps: Clinical Development
The project is now advancing toward clinical translation, with the goal of moving REMaST® from research to a therapeutic option for patients.
The next milestone is the initiation of a first-in-human clinical study, designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the therapy in individuals with acute spinal cord injury.
As Ilaria Decimo explained during the interview this study represents a decisive step in the development pathway:
“Through this clinical study, we aim to build on the results achieved so far and progressively expand access to the therapy for all patients with spinal cord injury, with the goal of supporting motor recovery.”
Watch the full interview, visit TG4 Medicina